Shearwater’s newest album, The Golden Archipelago, is the definition of a solid album. There is nothing here all that new or exciting, but most of tracks are a fine example of competent execution of a certain type of sound. The album never reaches outside of its comfort zone; instead, Shearwater are content to play around in that which they have already mastered. That’s just fine, though, because each track is executed to carry the listener on a musical journey.
At their best moments, Shearwater can conjure images of Pink Floyd and Interpol, but they never achieve the storyteller talents of those bands. While the tale being told on The Golden Archipelago can be emotionally felt, the specifics of lyrics remain cryptic and out of reach. Essentially, what is being said is less important than how. This extends to the albums final song, “Missing Islands,” which staggers in after the explosions of “Uniforms” as if it had just followed a long night of partying. With this last painterly stroke, the album ends reflectively. The journey, though abstract, feels like it left an impression.
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Shearwater should also be commended for the album’s second track, “Black Eyes.” This a powerful and thunderous stadium rock freedom cry. It has the bombastic nature of The Who, making one feel alive and invincible. While the album never matches the wonder of that track again, it still remains in the same realm aesthetically — making for an enjoyable, if somewhat uninspiring album.
(Matador Records, 304 Hudson, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10013)